Pokémon has always been one of those things that instantly pulls me back to childhood. I still remember sitting with my Game Boy, staring at Professor Oak’s lab and trying to decide between Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle. At the time it felt like the most important decision in the world. So seeing LEGO recreate the final evolutions of those exact starters in one big display set feels almost surreal. Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise are not just iconic Pokémon, they’re basically part of gaming history.

LEGO Pokémon Venusaur, Charizard & Blastoise (72153) is clearly designed with that nostalgia in mind. This isn’t really a playset aimed at kids running around the floor making battle noises. Instead it feels much more like a collector’s display piece for people who grew up with the original games and anime.

Opening the box makes it immediately clear that this is a pretty ambitious set. Inside you essentially get three separate builds, one for each Pokémon, each with its own themed base that reflects their natural environment. Venusaur stands on a jungle-like terrain, Charizard rises above a rocky volcanic base, and Blastoise sits on a shoreline setup that hints at water and coastal rock. Once finished you can display them individually, but the bases also connect together to create one larger diorama, which is a really nice touch.

The build experience itself is interesting because the three Pokémon feel quite different structurally. Venusaur is probably the most complex of the trio. Its bulky body, wide stance and massive flower on its back require a lot of clever shaping techniques to make the model look organic instead of blocky. LEGO does a surprisingly good job here. The layering of green slopes and curved elements gives the body a rounded look, and the flower on its back ends up being one of the most visually impressive parts of the whole set.

*The set has plenty of small details (Image: LEGO)*

Charizard is the obvious star for many fans, and LEGO clearly knows that. The model has large wings, a dramatic pose and a very striking color scheme that immediately catches the eye. The wings especially are well executed, using a mix of structural pieces and thinner elements that help them look wide and powerful without feeling fragile. When you place Charizard in the center of the display it naturally becomes the focal point.

Blastoise is perhaps the most compact build, but it still has plenty of personality. The shell design works well in LEGO form, and the cannons mounted on its back are instantly recognizable. They are built using a clever combination of cylindrical elements that manage to look surprisingly accurate without becoming overly complicated.

Overall the building process is enjoyable, but it does have moments where things become a little repetitive. Because the models rely on a lot of symmetrical shaping and layered slopes, you will sometimes feel like you’re repeating the same techniques multiple times. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean the build occasionally feels more methodical than creative.

Where the set really shines is in how recognizable the final models are. Translating Pokémon designs into LEGO form is not always easy, especially when dealing with creatures that have smooth, organic shapes. Here though, each of the three Pokémon is immediately identifiable. Even from across the room you can tell exactly who they are supposed to be.

That said, the designs are not perfect. Some areas still look a bit blocky, particularly around joints and transitions where LEGO pieces can’t fully replicate smooth curves. Venusaur’s face in particular may look slightly awkward from certain angles, and Blastoise’s proportions can feel a bit compressed compared to its game artwork. These aren’t deal breakers, but they do remind you that this is still LEGO trying to interpret very stylized characters.

Another thing worth mentioning is the size. These models are fairly large, which is great for display but also means they take up quite a bit of shelf space. If you plan to display all three together, you’ll need a decent amount of room.

Then there is the price. This is definitely a premium LEGO set, with an official retail price around $649.99, which roughly converts to about 8.000 SEK depending on exchange rates. That places it firmly in the collector category rather than something casual fans might pick up on a whim. Whether that price feels justified will depend largely on how much the Pokémon theme means to you.

Despite those drawbacks, it’s hard not to smile once everything is built and sitting on the shelf. Seeing Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise together like this taps directly into the same feeling I had as a kid watching the anime or playing the original games. There is something strangely satisfying about having physical versions of these classic Pokémon standing in front of you.

Verdict

In the end, this set succeeds because it understands exactly what it’s trying to be. It’s not a perfect LEGO interpretation of these characters, and it’s certainly not cheap. But as a display piece that celebrates the original Pokémon starters and the nostalgia surrounding them, it works remarkably well.

For longtime Pokémon fans especially, this set feels less like just another LEGO release and more like a small tribute to a huge part of gaming culture. And honestly, just seeing those three classic starters fully evolved and built in bricks is enough to make the whole thing feel worth it.